How do I find a good Financial Adviser?
We know this is a dilemma many people face, whether they are searching for a financial adviser for the first time, or, for whatever reason, they are seeking to replace their existing financial adviser.
Ask for a referral
We are very fortunate (and grateful) that a large number of our clients have been with us for many years and they will often refer friends, family and colleagues to us who are seeking financial advice. So a good place to start would be to ask someone you know if they can recommend a trust-worthy financial adviser.
We also regularly receive referrals from solicitors and accountants - this is not for any financial benefit on either side, but rather that often the advice we give will require consultation with a client’s legal or other professional representatives. So, if you already have a solicitor or accountant that you use and trust, consider asking them.
Search online
You can of course search online and if you know exactly what type of financial adviser you are looking for then that may be the quickest way to locate a firm locally to you. If, however, you are unsure what specifically you should be looking out for, Paul Lewis (financial journalist and presenter of Money Box on BBC Radio 4) offers some useful tips in his article ‘Find Good Financial Advice’.
Paul’s top 3 filters are:
Only ever use an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA).
Only ever use an IFA who is a chartered or certified financial planner.
Only use a financial planner who you can pay in pounds (and reject ‘contingent fees’ as they create a conflict of interest between you and the adviser).
He offers other useful information on where else to search online, what questions to ask at your first meeting and where you can seek free financial guidance - it’s well worth a read.
How does AV Trinity measure up?
Well, we believe we meet all the criteria for being ‘good financial advisers’, and here are our top 5 reasons for choosing AV Trinity:
We are a Chartered Financial Planning firm, demonstrating we are at the height of our profession.
We are fully independent and will act solely in our clients’ best interests.
We advise individuals and companies on most areas of financial planning including pensions, investments, mortgages, protection, equity release, inheritance tax planning, trusts and long term care.
We are flexible in our engagement with clients, offering meetings at our Tunbridge Wells office as well as telephone and video meetings, alongside secure messaging and access to an online portal.
We are transparent at all times – you pay only for our advice and you will always know the £ cost upfront (we do not charge contingently).
To read more about personal finance and your money, you can find more articles over on our news page. Alternatively, if you have specific questions about AV Trinity and how we work, please get in touch to speak to one of our Advisers. Don’t forget, this article offers information about financial planning and should not be taken as personal advice.